POMEGRANATE BOOKS

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Thursday, June 12, 2008

Help Pomegranate Support Sunshine Grief Camp for Children

In 1967 a gentle but determined woman began a quiet revolution which transformed the Western way of viewing death. Dame Cicely Saunders, a trained nurse, social worker, and physician, opened St Christopher Hospice in South London, England, to provide for the physical, mental, social and spiritual needs of the dying. She encouraged residents to surround themselves with the people, belongings, and even pets which made them most comfortable. This was a departure from the existing custom of allowing few visitors (and certainly no children!) on acute medical wards. (I can still remember getting permission to bring my newborn nephew in for a single visit in the weeks leading up to my mother's death).

Our own Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center has been in existence since 1980 providing care to the dying and support to the families and friends at their sides. This support continues after death and includes a variety of grief support programs. One of the most important is the Sunshine Grief Camp, providing age appropriate activities for children grades 1 through 6. Kids enjoy a fun camp experience while using expressive arts and play to deal with the grieving process.

Pomegranate Books is providing a small ray of sunshine to the campers by supplying copies of Angel Catcher for Kids, a workbook for children to use and keep as a remembrance. Our fundraiser last fall raised over $150.00 toward the purchase of books, but we still need to purchase additional books so each of the 36 campers this year can have a copy. Please see our display in the store or speak with any staff member if you wish to contribute.

We hope you call on the wonderful folks at Lower Cape fear Hospice and Life Care Center when you are faced with issues of death, dying and grief, or if you wish to experience a profound and meaningful volunteer experience. We are fortunate to live in an area where we can take advantage of the work of such dedicated, giving individuals.